Share is all I need

Finally got my hands down to blogging!

A lot had been happening!!! The word “revision” echoes in my mind every time I step into the hospital, but thankfully I’m constantly immersed in God’s peace & assurance. I know it’s not an excuse, but I’m blessed to be able to study without feeling stress or panic.

During Urban Life discipleship, Sharene shared about “miracles” & them coming through Jesus, and we were divided into groups where we share our testimonies about what miracle has God brought into our lives. So happen, my group got the topic about “family”!!! Wow!!! I was reminded by what Ps Steven said to me during my last holidays in KL about blogging my heartbeat about telling people about God & how is it different compared to talking it to my family.

Which brings me to the reason of this blog!!!

I have been a believer for 3 years, and every now and then I talk to my friends about God, or share faith with people seeking & wanting to know more about God. It can be challenging at times, because all I want is for them is to get to know who Jesus is, and the things He can do in our lives as we welcome Him into our lives. I don’t do it because church ask me to, or because I wanna be a noble guy to convert everyone, but I do that because I personally encounter such great experiences with Him as I open myself to Him. I want people to have a chance to receive such encounters like I do.

Psa34:4 Taste & see that the Lord is good…

Bible says, taste & you will know. You gotta enjoy it. First encounter is crucial. It’s like me finding a good shop which sells decent laksa in Melbourne, and I went around telling others about it. But until my friend truly tastes it, he wouldn’t know how good it is. He will have an idea about the taste, but he never had an experience because he never tried the laksa.

But I find this exceptionally hard to share with my family. Not that I am doing all these with my strength, but with mum & dad sharing faith isn’t that simple. I don’t have the intention of forcing the details down their throat, but I would like to tell them, why I chose to believe in Jesus, & how much He has sustained me & love me. They see the evidence of God in my life – my life has changed for the better & they themselves affirmed that… but I can’t seem to find proper words or decent opportunities to talk about it.

I might be fearful – afraid that dad will shut me off, don’t wanna offend mum since she’s a strong Buddhist believer, or don’t wanna give them an impression that I’m so sold out for God… I dunno, but I believe it’s harder to share things with the people you’re closed with. Not that they frightens me, somehow, there’s a hindrance. (sounds like I’m contradicting myself)

God has been gracious to me. Over the past 3 years, my family has changed from being so rejectful about God to acceptance that I’m a Christian, support me whenever I go to church, and even had the intention to help me look for one when I first got to Melbourne. Even when mum had her operation, I thank God that I was able to pray for her… Chuen always tells me the change & open doors God has done in my household

But what I truly desire is to see them coming to know who Jesus really is. I know I need God for this miracle, because I dunno how & what way & when things like these can happen. All I need is to believe!!!

Another thought?

I was reading Jesus M.D. today (love this book a lot) - it's just talking about how this missionary doctor view Jesus Christ as the Great Physician & what are some of the things he learnt, and encountered as he journeyed his life as a missionary doctor. I have no intention whatsoever to be a missionary doctor at this point of time(maybe God will do something in future - I don't know) but I just wanna know more about God's thoughts about being a doctor - a doctor that carry His gospel & light around.

Just finished a chapter and this part really caught my attention:

"It convinced me that being a physician on a mission field, like being a Christian committed to serving Christ everywhere, would mean facing situations for which I could never be fully prepared. It would mean taking the risk of trusting God to use me despite my own inadequacies - in knowledge, skill & experience." - David Stevens

Thought of the week??

"Serving God is not about ABILITY. It's AVAILABILITY. When you avail yourself to God, He will then will you with the ability"

"When given a task, I don't see it as a hindrance. I don't take it as a challenge. I see it as an avenue of growth. Something that God wanna teach me. If I don't take it, I might miss whatever that God wants to equip me."

Perception shift! Something that I'm pondering about...

UL4 Core group invades Mornington!

Hope enters life today!

Avalon – Come & Fill my heart

Free, I long to be free
I long for the day I'll believe
That all you say you see in me is true
That's hard for me to do
It's hard for me to die to myself
Entrust my life to someone else
So come empty me out
I'm no good without
You inside of me

Chorus:
Come and fill my heart with hope
Come and fill my life with love
Come and fill my soul with strength to carry on
Because from here the climb is steep, the road is long
Come and fill my days with dreams
Empty me of all the empty things
That I hold onto
Come and fill my heart with you

I need you in my life
Need you like the air that I breath
You've become the very heart of me
And I, I can't believe my eyes
Can't believe the dream that I've found
Lord, your love has turned my world around
So come fill up my heart'
Till I'm like you are
So deep inside of me

Search me, Lord
Try my heart
Come and take me now and make me new
So that all of the world will see you
Overflow in my life


Today is all about Him. All about Him going up to the cross & conquered death to fulfill what is spoken in the lyrics above!

Just being immersed in His love & grace is all I need. It’s sufficient to carry me on. Words can’t fully describe that. It is only revealed by your personal encounter with Him. Really thank Him for all the blessings and His unfailing love for me. From strength to strength He has carried me on throughout these years. Nothing I do can make Him love me less or more. Thank you, Jesus!

Shift!

Felt really overwhelmed & burden yesterday and today. About studies, the thought of exams in June, ministry and random thoughts just made me feel so stretched & tired. I recognized the plot the enemy was setting to weaken my faith especially since I got back from Leaders’ retreat over the weekend. The retreat was empowering and very ministering.

As I was taking the tram back, the bridge of “Sold Out” really spoke!

“I’m holding onto You, All my desires in Your hand. I’m running after You, Jesus!”

Just draw my attention to what God says that He is always in control. His providence is always there to those who seek Him first.

As I got back home, start doing my devotion and just worshipping God, just felt so elevated. Just felt the exchange is happening. He is taking my burden & giving me His yoke for His yoke is light. I am able to find rest in Him!!! & as I was reading the bible, this verse spoke so strongly:

Isa52:1-2Awake, awake O Zion, clothe yourself with strength. Put on your garments of splendor, O Jerusalem, the holy city. The uncircumcised and defiled will not enter you again. Shake off your dust; rise up, sit enthroned, O Jerusalem. Free yourself from the chains on your neck, O captive Daughter of Zion.

It talks about clothing ourselves with God’s strength & glory. Clothes give protection, display glory to those who sees us in it! It talks about don’t let the things of the world and people to pull me down. It talks about shaking off the things that hinders us from coming to God. It talks about breaking free things/thoughts/words/situations that bring us down!

Just wanna proclaim this word every morning!

Cooking galore continues!

Bring Him glory!

Isa49:3 He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor."

The Message version says “He said to me, "You're my dear servant, Israel, through whom I'll shine."”

The NLT version says “He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel, and you will bring me glory.””


God says His servants will display His glory. Through us, His name is adorned!

It got me thinking – How do we reflect His glory? How do we live our life in such a way that His name is lifted high?

It makes me look back to my parents. What are the things/life-events that will put a smile on their face? That they will be so pleased?

I can think of a few…

I know they will be very happy to see their children grown up healthily, living in a good life condition, successful in their career, find their life partner and start to build their own family. More than that, parents will be blessed and thankful when their children grown up with heart & attitude of thanksgiving towards them – for all the sacrifices and time labored to raise their children. In their heart, I can just sense the thanksgiving prayer “Thank God for such a blessed child. Thanks for building this child up to have Your character living actively deep within him.”

I know this will make them proud. This will make them shine. It will definitely bring glory to the family.

Likewise, our Father in heaven will be pleased if He sees His children live a life that glorify His name – life that is constantly pursuing His purpose & will. As we faithfully serve Him, submit and obey the things He has wished in our lives, and trustfully walk in the road that He prepared for us, His love is truly manifested to everyone, His nature and His character is made clear for everyone to experience, and His purpose is to rebuild the relationship that was once lost will be fulfilled.

I believe once we reach the finish line, once we return heaven, He will be standing there – arms wide open, excitedly embrace us with a warm hug and said “Son, welcome home! You’ve make me proud! You’ve bring glory to my name!”

My new home!

This time tomorrow!

This time tomorrow I’ll be sulking and mourning my way back to Melbourne…

The thought of leaving home just made me feels so lethargic and malaise! As though I’ve caught this mebournitis! Feel come-what unwell now, sick maybe… Not as energetic as I was anymore, and certainly less vocal & loud (which is something unusual)… but the cause is definitely not pathological…

But yah, from busy schedule to mountain-high studies, irritating flies & weather to winter, homesick to fav-food-deprivation mood… All these familiar voices are calling me back, & trust me it is not “calling me softly with a song”…

But one thing I’m certain, that I’ve fallen in love with KL tremendously, that I love my family & church unfailingly, my tolerance for lousy Malaysian surface increases & I still overcome KL’s “erratic” weather.

I just gotta keep Dec 2008 as my focus!

CNY eve dinner! thx Mum!

Praise Ur Name!

Every blessing You pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name

Was singing this song (Blessed be Your Name) in SNL, and this part of the song struck me deep! It simply just shows me God’s heart towards His people.

Felt that God’s saying, “Do you praise Me when I pour out blessings on you?” “Have you considered every good work that happens in your life actually comes from Me?” “Do you not see that even in the darkest valley, I am there with you, walking you out of it?”

Sometimes we just forget to do so! Or worse, neglected Him being the One who is the ultimate master mind of our life! And when things didn’t flow according to our ways, we blame God for not helping us. We turn our backs away from Him because we remember only one of these trials and forget the many times God’s blessings were poured unto us. We stop trusting in God and trying to work it out on our own. We shut ourselves from God, not God distance away from us.

Why can’t we have a lil David in our hearts? Why can’t we praise God even in our darkest moments? Why can’t we hold firm and trust in Him to bring us above our trials? Why not a lil more faith? That’s why God calls David “a man after God’s heart”! Let’s have a heart of David – having the word of praise constantly at our mouth, having a heart that is steadfast, having the assurance that God being our Father will always help us through in whatever situation and His plans are always to prosper us!


P/s:- I did my 3rd round of running for 25 mins! Wohoo!!!

Blessed 40th!!!

The discipleship (L to R):- Me, Aaron, Ian, Pa, Bern, Jeremy, Victor
Aaron's touch on behalf of us!
The leaders (L to R):- Mark, Kelvin, Ps Shawn, Pa, Si Peng, Ps Tim
Hope he likes the cake :-)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Exercise Part 2

I am in my I-must-keep-in-shape mood now! With strict diet restriction (er, konon la) and consistent exercise, I'm trying to burn off my tummy that seem to have grown to a significant shape, a shape that I won't go on elaborating.

So, like I promised in my previous post, my exercise routine is not gonna be last. So, today I did my 2nd jog on my treadmill, but this time around I was on for 25mins. Wohoo!!! Progressing!!!

Thinking of my 3rd exercise routine now... Probably should do some crunches later. Did 100 last Sunday, and another time yesterday.. 6 packs are emerging! Another WoHoooo!!!!

Starting point!

Mark today's date everyone!

I woke up early -0730 and had a 15 minutes run on my treadmill!!! FINALLY, did my exercise for the first time since I got back to KL!

Some of you must be thinking - 15 mins is too short, and what a waste of time, but I'm trying to build my stamina again... So, watch out for more updates on my exercise routine! This post is definitely first for 2008, but not the last! :-)

Shaping the right perception!

I was listening to his Ps Steven Furtick preaching about Perception!

He said, “how you receive someone/thing depends greatly on how you perceive someone/thing.”

Totally agree! Our perception greatly shapes our mind to see certain things in a certain way. Even in your toughest situation, if we view it from God’s point of you, we deal with the situation a lil’ different compared if we deal with the situation with our own mind/strength/knowledge/ability.

He went on saying, “We may be in a certain condition, but that is not our ultimate position!”

What power words spoken! Because of a different perception! A perception from God’s point of view, not the world, not the self!

We sometimes think we are able to deal with things because the world shaped our mentality in such a way – if we can’t handle/solve the situation on our own, we are loser! We are not strong enough to live in the society these days! Or maybe some of us have this thought of “I can do it since I’m a brilliant student. Nothing is too difficult for me to handle!” Some of us try so hard to conceal their tough situation from others, fear others may laugh, or perceive that they are weak. Because of that, we put on a mask every time we leave our room. We fake a smile or an “I’m fine/ I’m good” answer whenever we are asked how we are doing. We are too egoistic to face defeat!

But what God says? “Trust Me!” “I’m the Author & Perfecter of your faith!” “My grace is sufficient for you!” “Take upon My yoke for it is light, and you will find rest for your soul!” “I am your refuge & strength!” “I made you the head and not the tail!” “You are more than a conqueror!”

His promises tell us differently about ourselves, and help us see a situation at a different perception. Like the scripture about the Prophet without Honor, Jesus wouldn’t perform miracles because the people in His hometown lack faith or lack a believing heart. They still perceived Him as the young carpenter, whose sisters were with them. Their viewpoint of God limits God’s ability to perform miracles in their lives.

Like what Steven Furtick said, “Don’t be immunized to Him that you miss His essence!”

Strong words eh? Lets allow God to reexamine our soul and shift every thought & perception that is not aligned to God’s word! Shake off every self- & worldly perception that is still leeching us!

THE WAY WE RECEIVE DEPENDS ON THE WAY WE PERCEIVE!

Live LOUD!

Was talking to Chuen yesterday and she said “The words of one person can be so powerful. Because of one encounter she had with a doctor when her grandma was critically ill, she was inspired. The doctor might not be the person that walk her entire medical career decision, but she surely had planted the first seed!”

The power of one person’s word! Whether you realize it our not, you are actually making a difference. We are constantly influencing the people around us without us noticing it.

During my junior’s farewell, she shared how this friend left a footprint in her life. She said 2 ½ years ago, when she first met her friend, J, she was actually crying in her room. But she was so thankful of J for being there, comforting her. When she was sharing this with J, J hardly remembered this encounter – maybe, he was there offering her tissue box; but this “one day” was vividly remembered by my friend.

Your action and presence matters! You may not notice it, but you are making a mark!

Why am I so passionately illustrating this? This is because recently, I have a couple of encounters with different people saying that they do not wanna return to Malaysia after graduation. Say lifestyle overseas is much better than the one in KL. Well, I have no problem with that, because, facts remain as one! Undeniably true. What saddens me was when I hear them saying that our country is “beyond repair”- lack of rights, privileges, opportunities; political issues; corruption – thefts, robberies, crime; the list goes on. To a certain degree, well this might be true. “The grass is always greener on the other side”

Speaking of overseas, I mean the developed countries. Yah, it is definitely cleaner, healthier air to breathe in, better pay and lifestyle, maybe less corruption. But don’t forget, the developed countries been thru what developing countries going through before. We don’t know, because we weren’t born in that generation to see/experience it. What about gun shooting? What about sex promiscuity? Parents’ abandonment? Kids’ upbringing? Do any of these developed countries doing any better than our country? I can’t put a “yes” answer. You tell me!

But I believe, if young people start to have this mentality and start to flee from this country and never return, I wonder what our country will turn out to be. Probably worse? I don’t know. But if we start doing/saying something, I believe there will be changes! Because as lives are changed, values and characters will change for the better, and with that, actions change too!

Maybe the person that you share lives with will one day be a leader in a big company. With that, the values of this company might change. The way they handle business, treat their employees, deal with marketing strategies. Or who knows, this person might turn out to be a doctor, saving lives and doing mission works for the poor, or maybe borderless doctor! Or another possibility where this person’s life might be changed thru’ one word of encouragement that comes from you during a cold, dark night where this man is in his lowest moment. God puts many crossroads in our lives, where we meet different people, and speak into each others’ lives at different point of time. We sometimes help shaped another person’s defining moment without us realizing it.

It’s not a matter of becoming a hero, change the world or whatever. But I believe it is about impacting lives. Even preaching the gospel, it’s not just about getting someone to say the sinner’s prayer, but it is about allowing people experience God in every moment of their lives. That’s a change! That’s the difference I wanna make!

Pastor Shawn said in his blog, “Make a calling decision, not merely a career decision. Make a life, don't just make a living.” I second this statement. My life is definitely a calling decision given by God. What about yours? Is your life so small that it can only be all about you?

Pro18:21The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

The anointed one!

Testimonies

Yesterday, during SNL as usual, there was testimony session, where people come up and share what God has done in their lives. As they were sharing, 2 phrases strucked me!

"A lot of us ask God what is our calling. But I tell you, THE NEED IS THE CALL!!!"

"When you think you don't have enough time for God, that is when you need to GIVE time to God"

Power words from powerful people!

Trust Him or me?

The Calling of the First Disciples

Luke5:1One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, 2he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."

5Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

Just wanna draw your attention to this part of Peter’s life. It happened when Peter was still a fisherman, and he was trying to catch some fishes with his mates during one fine day. It is that one day that a man named Jesus came and went on Peter’s boat, and start preaching. After He finished, He had a conversation with Peter that later transformed Peter’s life!

Peter has been a fisherman all his life, hence he is a “content expert”. He knows when is the appropriate time to catch the largest amount of fish, where is the best spot to grab hold of many fishes, and which proper technique that brings him the best profit. But here comes Jesus, a carpenter since young with no fishing background what-so-ever came and taught Peter how to fish. But check out how Peter responded to Jesus’ instruction “I tried all night long and still can’t find any fishes. But since You said so, I’ll just give it a go”

And BOOM!

Peter caught so much fishes that his net began to break. He has to call his buddies in the other boat to help him, and when both boats try to contain the “catch of the day” the amount of fish is so much that it filled both boats and the boats began to sink. What abundance once Peter obeyed Jesus.

Similarly, we sometimes try to “act smart”. We can say, “I need to study” or “I tried so hard to study and yet still didn’t do as well as I thought it would be” or “You won’t understand how I feel about my situation. It’s easy for you to say “trust God””… All these are excuses we constantly say in our daily life. We can say others don’t understand because they aren’t in our position, not facing the things we are facing, or have stronger will and ability to get through situations like ours compared to us…

But we should be like Peter. Acknowledging his current situation but not trusting in his own strength or ability, but trusting in God’s provision. As soon as he responded in faith, look at God’s blessing and provision! I know I might not understand how some people feel about their situation, but I know my God for sure! I know His character & nature. He is someone that provides our need, that blesses us abundantly, that wants good things happen in our lives, that gives us His very best each time we trust in Him… The question is, do we trust Him enough even when circumstances are beyond your control? Or do we act smart and think we are Mr/Miss know-my-situation-best and deal with the circumstances with our own limited strength?

His promises endure forever! But do we trust Him enough to feed on His promises?